The secretive plan for a Maine data center collapsed in 6 days (bangordailynews.com) AI

A proposed $300 million AI data center in Lewiston’s downtown Bates Mill began unraveling even before the public learned much about it. City councilors received a detailed proposal shortly before a vote, held two closed-door sessions, and released information to the public only six days before the Dec. 16 decision—prompting swift backlash over environmental concerns, transparency, and limited review time. The council voted unanimously to reject the plan, with officials pointing to the developer’s lack of early public engagement as a key factor, amid broader Maine debates and emerging state-level moratorium efforts.